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| The High Water Trail |
Don't you just love fall! The woods are full of that wonderful deep
fall smell that just makes
you think of warm fires and hot cocoa! This week my boys and I tackled a section of
the High Water Trail over in Evans Notch.
We went in from Wild River Campground, crossed over at Moriah Brook and
hiked up to the intersection of Wild River Trail, crossed the river and
returned via the Wild River Trail.
We
found a HUGE patch of Checkerberries which we each enjoyed a handful of even
though they were a bit past season!
And
we honed in on our trail finding skills!
Right
now we have enough leaves down that in the deeper woods the coverage on the
trail is fairly thick and on the lesser used trails it makes trail finding
quite the project.
Keep this in mind as
you plan your hikes and excursions.
If
you are not comfortable with trail finding, make sure you choose well used
trails with good blazing.
You may wish
to stay out of the Wilderness areas where trails are not as developed and
blazing is not as widespread.
On the
other hand if you do enjoy the challenge, carry your map, compass, and whistle, be prepared just in case you need to spend a night in the woods and
then…ENJOY THE CHALLENGE!
On our
hike we didn’t get lost at all however there were a number of places where you
couldn’t see where the trail went until you were right on top of it and we had
all of our sensors on high input!
The
river crossing that is where Spider Bridge used to be is not horrendous.
My two tall and stable boys rock hopped it
with no issues.
I, shorter and not as
stable, forded about 6 feet of it and probably could have done it in my boots except
I couldn’t tell how slippery the rocks just under the water were.
The river is beautiful and well worth
enjoying.
At this time of year go out
for the solitude.
In the summer…go out
for the swimming!
The
Wild River Trail on the return brought back more memories of Hurricane
Irene!
The majority of the trail is now
a ditch up to 4 feet deep strewn with rocks!
One section of the trail was actually washed out and has been reloed.
Other than that it is still easy to follow as
it still follows the straight ahead path of an old rail road bed!
More awesome swimming holes for the summer
time were passed! If interested in this hike, you will want to look at
AMC Map 5 for Carter Range-Evans Notch.
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| Can you find the trail here? |
Well I
suggested ice was coming last week and today it looks like it's here!
We currently have 1.6 inches of snow on top of Mt. Washington with rime ice. Yesterday we received reports of icing on both the Tuckerman's Ravine Trail and the Lion's Head AND the snow was covering over the ice! There is still some daytime melting going on so your best bet is to recheck conditions on the morning of your hike and then still be prepared for multiple scenarios. If
you own light traction devices such as
Microspikes, I would at the LEAST place
them in your trunks before you come!
You
may not need them, but if you do you’d be much happier to have them than to
not!
If you don’t own them, we do sell
them both here and at the Highland Center.
You can probably also find them at your local retailer.
And of course if you are staying at either of our Lodes (Joe Dodge, Highland) you are welcome to participate in our complimentary demonstration program with Hillsound Light Traction!
In that
same vein, be prepared for winter conditions on the high peaks at this
point…not mountaineering by any standards but ice, snow, cold and sometimes
very high winds are going to add a layer on top of the always existent
challenges up there! We are not summer
hiking any longer! Flexibility is the key! No reason not to go but always be prepared to
turn around…the mountain will still be there on another day and if you turn
around, so will you!
For any general questions, conditions information, or trail advice, please feel free to contact us
here at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center front desk. We are
available by phone at (603) 466-2721 every day from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
or by email at amcpinkhaminfo@outdoors.org. To make reservations at AMC Lodges and Huts, please call
(603)466-2727 available Monday through Saturday 9am-5pm.
Happy Hiking!
Joyce S.
Backcountry Information Specialist
AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
(603) 466-8116
amcpinkhaminfo@outdoors.org
Labels: Foliage, hike safe, Joe Dodge Lodge, New Hampshire, Pinkham Notch, Tuckerman Ravine, White Mountains
Don't you just love fall! The woods are full of that wonderful deep
fall smell that just makes you think of warm fires and hot cocoa! This week my boys and I tackled a section of
the High Water Trail over in Evans Notch.
We went in from Wild River Campground, crossed over at Moriah Brook and
hiked up to the intersection of Wild River Trail, crossed the river and
returned via the Wild River Trail. We
found a HUGE patch of Checkerberries which we each enjoyed a handful of even
though they were a bit past season! And
we honed in on our trail finding skills!
